“It's a work in progress. It's not going to be fixed overnight, nor do I think it's going to be fixed at this point by me just getting skinny.”

Motes was set to marry her partner in May this year and, despite reports that Roberts was not planning to attend, she said: “My family, we love each other absolutely. I love Julia absolutely, and I have no doubt she loves me.”

Roberts, 46, has yet to make a comment on the death, but her family released the following statement: "It is with deep sadness that the family of Nancy Motes ... confirms that she was found dead in Los Angeles yesterday of an apparent drug overdose. There is no official report from the Coroner's office yet. The family is both shocked and devastated."

Motes is the daughter of Roberts' mother Betty Lou and stepfather Michael Motes. She is also is the half-sister of actors Eric Roberts, 57 and Lisa Roberts Gillan, 49.